Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas goes up for a shot against Michigan State's Derrick Nix (25) during the first half of their Big Ten Tournament semifinal. KYLE ROBERTSON, MCT

Taking a quick look at the West Region of the NCAA Tournament.

1. Gonzaga

BULLDOGS

WCC champion (31-2)

Takes last shot: Seven-footer Kelly Olynyk leads the 'Zags' in scoring with 17.5 points per game (65 percent from FG range).

Best, worst: Beat Oklahoma State, 69-68. Lost to Illinois, 85-74.

Outlook: Ranked regular-season No. 1 for the first time in school history, is this the year Gonzaga finally breaks through and reaches the Final Four?

2. Ohio State

BUCKEYES

Big Ten at-large (23-7)

Takes last shot: Deshaun Thomas has been the Buckeyes' most (and sometimes only) consistent scoring option, so there's no doubt who would have it in the final seconds.

Best, worst: Beat Indiana, 67-58. Lost to Illinois, 74-55.

Outlook: Ohio State's defense should carry it to the tournament's second weekend, but offensive consistency could keep the Bucks from going further than that.

3. New Mexico

LOBOS

Mountain West champion (29-5)

Takes last shot: Kendall Williams knows how to win games late, such as when he scored 17 points in the final six minutes to beat Colorado State.

Best, worst: Beat UNLV, 63-56. Lost to South Dakota State, 70-65

Outlook: Overall defense is excellent, but the Lobos were below average in the MWC in terms of field-goal percentage and playing a weak schedule.

4. Kansas State

WILDCATS

Big 12 at-large (27-7)

Takes last shot: Rodney McGruder, a 6-foot-4 guard, has the size and aggression needed to drive to the basket and score or draw a key foul.

Best, worst: Beat Florida, 67-61. Lost to Iowa State, 73-67

Outlook: The experienced Wildcats run a motion offense, their guards attack and their ability to defend makes them an all-around dangerous team.

5. Wisconsin

BADGERS

Big Ten at-large (21-10)

Takes last shot: After hitting a halfcourt shot to help beat Michigan, Ben Brust is probably the most battle-tested of any Badger to hit a late, big shot.

Best, worst: Beat Michigan, 65-62. Lost to Virginia, 60-54.

Outlook: Wisconsin's slow style of play could throw some teams for a loop in the postseason, but if the Badgers can't control the pace, they could be out in the first weekend.

6. Arizona

WILDCATS

Pac-12 at-large (25-7)

Takes last shot: Mark Lyons isn't very consistent, but if he's on, he can be a pretty prolific scorer.

Best, worst: Beat Miami (Fla.), 69-50. Lost to USC, 89-78.

Outlook: Arizona has shown the ability to beat top teams, lending to the idea that it could be the Pac-12's best tournament threat.

7. Notre Dame

FIGHTING IRISH

Big East at-large (25-9)

Takes last shot: Jerian Grant might be best known for his performance in Notre Dame's five-overtime victory over Louisville, but he's been the Irish's most consistent scorer.

Best, worst: Beat Louisville, 104-101. Lost to St. Joseph's, 79-70.

Outlook: The Fighting Irish have been all over the board this season and don't look like they're getting more consistent, so expecting a prolonged tournament run is unwise.

8. Pittsburgh

PANTHERS

Big East at-large (24-8)

Takes last shot: Experienced point guard Tray Woodall is the Panthers' heart and soul and is playing his best basketball of the season in the last month.

Best, worst: Beat Georgetown, 73-45. Lost to Rutgers, 67-62.

Outlook: The Panthers have few bad losses and, with some lucky breaks, they could certainly make the second weekend of the tournament (and maybe even further) if every piece of their balanced offense is in sync.

9. Wichita State

SHOCKERS

Missouri Valley at-large (26-8)

Takes last shot: Senior guard Malcolm Armstead is the Shockers' go-to shooter from 3-point range, having made 36 percent of his team-best 151 attempts from beyond the arc.

Best, worst: Beat VCU, 53-51. Lost to Southern Illinois, 64-62.

Outlook: Wichita State has proven to be very dangerous (see victories over Creighton and at VCU), but has been plagued by inconsistency down the stretch, losing to the 14-victory Salukis and getting swept by Evansville. Which Shocker team will show up?

10. Iowa State

CYCLONES

Big 12 at-large (22-11)

Takes last shot: The Cyclones aren't shy about putting up the 3-pointers at any time, and Tyrus McGee makes more than 45 percent from behind the line.

Best, worst: Beat Kansas State, 73-67. Lost to Texas Tech, 56-51

Outlook: The Cyclones are a high-scoring team, one that twice took Kansas to overtime, and also an efficient team that could be a tough matchup on short notice.

11. Belmont

BRUINS

Ohio Valley Conference champion (26-6)

Takes last shot: Senior guard Ian Clark remains one of the best 3-point shooters in the country (46 percent).

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